When Monika Fauth, a Dutch woman travelling around the world in 1997, visited Lamu, she fell in love with the beauty of the island and with a beautiful man named Banana (Mohamed Ali Mbarak). It was the beginning of a romantic and successful love story. Banana and Monika started, with the little money they had, a small bed-and-breakfast in their own house. Banana cooked delicious seafood, Monika was the host–and together they entertained many guests with stories about the Swahili culture, life on Lamu and the island.

After a few years, and two kids later, they bought a great plot in a quiet corner of Shela, close to the waterfront. The idea of building a small hotel and a wellness centre came from Monika after she felt the need to give something back to the island and its inhabitants, which had been so generous to her since she moved to Lamu.

Banana House & Wellness centre is now established for more than 21 years, and a well known small boutique hotel.

Monika & Banana work on a variety of other projects like yoga, organising retreats, caring for the village and the environment. Banana loves parties and lots of fun. Their goal is that Banana House continues to be a home where people from all religions and cultural backgrounds can rejuvenate, recharge their battery, share and be inspired to take responsibility for our world and environment.